RAF Mildenhall secretary Faith Rutterford who was awarded MBE retires after 64 years in role

An RAF Mildenhall secretary, who was made an MBE and presented the Most Excellence Order of the British Empire earlier this year, is retiring after 64 years.

Faith Rutterford, 81, joined the Ministry of Defence as a civil servant on April 27, 1959, and has been the secretary to the Commander of the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron at the US airbase ever since.

Her 64 years and 29 days of continued service is potentially a world record for a civil service career and an application has been submitted to Guinness World Records to validate it.

Ms Rutterford was presented with the Most Excellence Order of the British Empire from Her Royal Highness, Anne, the Princess Royal, at an Investiture Ceremony held at Windsor Castle in London, UK on February 28, and last June she was made an MBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours List for public service.

“I was very honored, however, very humble,” said Ms Rutterford of the awards.

Ms Rutterford is an avid gardener and volunteers at the local chapel in the village of Barton Mills, just outside Mildenhall town where she has lived her entire life.

She has contributed to the history archives of RAF Mildenhall and helped the Mildenhall Museum identify photographs from around the local area and is a prominent figure on and off the airbase.

When asked about her favorite experience while working at the base, Ms Rutterford said: “I can't really put my finger on anything specific, everyday had something different to offer, perhaps that's the most importation thing about working here, there is something new happening every day.”

A day of celebrations, ending with a retirement ceremony, was held at RAF Mildenhall yesterday.